#Gian Giacomo Caprotti

[rossodimarte]

Antonio Salai, Saint John the Baptist, after Leonardo da Vinci, ca. 1520

[lionofchaeronea]

Narcissus, variously attributed to Giovanni Antonio Boltraffio or a follower (Gian Giacomo Caprotti?), ca. 1490

[drudolart]

I'm really proud of these little Salaì sketches I've been doing over these past few days, so I figured I'd post them.

The design is based on paintings of him, with a little bit of inspiration taken from @eiledon 's incredible cosplay of him!

[boydrudolo]

I'll scan this and put it on my art account later. But for now, take a shitty photo of this drawing I did of best boy Salaì

[teal-skull]

Hate my Leonardo da Vinci obsession.

I went to wikipedia to find a specific crude sketch from Leonardo's journals to make a meme and suddenly I found my way into Salai's italian wikipedia article and now I'm going the rabbit hole about Luigi Pulci's Il Morgante to confirm a footnote in Walter Isaacson's biography of Leonardo da Vinci. According to it, Salai's (who was Leonardo's apprentice/servant/model/lover depending on your opinion) nickname (his real name was Gian Giacomo Caprotti, and he used alias Andrea Salai sometimes) means "little devil" and the term "salai" is derivative from Tuscan dialect mening "The devil's foot/leg" (I think the expression was "Il Salaino or something??) , But then he adds that the name comes from a DEMON in the epic Morgante. I took this to mean that there is a demon character in the novel (sometimes I realized as false only later)

(another fact about Salai's name is that sometimes it's spelled as Salaí, so it becomes Sa-la-i, instead of Sa-lai)

A detail I want to point out is that Leonardo had Il Morgante in his library, and it's included in his list of books he owns. So yes it's very possible Leonardo would've taken the name from there.

The funny this is that I have already went down this rabbit hole like year prior, but it ended abruptly without conclusion because I'm that type if person who starts something and then abandons it.

HOWEVER what I did find last time was that the only named demon character I've been able to find is Astarotte. So I was growing skeptical about the "salai's nickname comes from Il Morgnte" as a whole. No matter where I looked, there was no mention of a character named Salai.

But then after like.... Months into this thing plaquing me, and "researching" it on and off, I found this:

XXI 47 7 (Canto Ventunesimo) 

I don't speak italian besides individual words so obviously I had no idea what the context was. However, at this point I realized to check my university library for any edition of Il Morgnte, and I managed to find a very fancy Italian edition. However I was bumped when I google translated the paragraph and it seemed that Salai did not refer to any particular character in the novel, rather, it's just a comparison "as does Salai in the fall" I guess there is a Salai named demon in the epic but like .. it's not a character technically.

TODAY i digged up these again because I was reminded of this, and saw that there was a footnore about "salay" in this page I had taken a picture of like over a year ago. Before the footnote had gone unnoticed for me, oh the regret is hitting...

According to machine translation that footnote 7. Explains that Salay refers to "other infernal power" and fallen angels (so demons at least)

WHICH IS FUNNY because I started to go down this rabit hole again because the Italian wikipedia article of Salai also mentions Salai's name coming from Il Morgante, but there it's said that: "the expression is used to evoke an infernal power" (Nell'opera L'espressione è impiegata oer evocare una potenza infernale)

So um.... I've wasted many hours of my finite life to confirm this little nuget of information. Idk where I'm going anymore.

Thanks for reading about my decent into insanity I guess

If any Italian speakers have anything they'd like to add or point out, please tell me!

[eiledon]

I have the amazing privilege to work at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival, and the even bigger privilege to portray one Gian Giacomo Caprotti, better known as Salaì.

Salaì has been a super important historical figure for me for about two years now. His existence allowed me to meet a very close friend, which in turn gave me the ability to fly all the way to Italy to meet her. I even got to eat dinner in his home town of Oreno on one of my final nights there.

The fact that I’m going to be able to spend the next several weeks embodying this person that’s brought me so much joy and opportunity throughout these past two years makes me so happy and so excited. If even one person leaves the grounds and looks him up to learn more about him, I’ll consider my job well done.

I love you Salaì, and I hope to do you justice.

(also i will be posting many stupid memes as him because what’s love if you can’t make fun of the person you love?)

[ofmythsandmists]

Sooo I don't know if someone already talked about it but...

Have you ever noticed the similarity between Armand and Gian Giacomo Caprotti, aka il Salaì (1), favourite pupil and (almost surely) lover of Leonardo da Vinci?

If not, here some basic infos:

He was born in 1480 near Milan, we know it because we have Leonardo's diary saying that Giacomo joined his bottega in 1490, "when he was ten" (2);

He was nicknamed "Salaì" ("devil") because he was, apparently, quite a pest :)))). He was, in Leonardo's words, "a thief, a liar, stubborn, and gluttonous";

Leonardo was born in 1452, which makes him 38 years old when Giacomo joined his household (yes, the age gap);

Salaì stayed with Leonardo almost till his death and was the model for many some of his paintings and sketches (3), some of which are erotic ones;

In 1523 he married a woman called Bianca Coldirodi d'Annono.

Last but not least, Salaì looked like THIS

This is a portrait made by another (anonymous) pupil of Leonardo.

I MEAN.

He was the model for the painting Saint John the Baptist by Leonardo (on the internet, you can easily find the NSFW sketch for this painting so... yeah).

So if we look at Armand's backstory (at least, the one set in Venice with Marius), I think it's pretty easy to see the similarities:

Armand states in The Vampire Armand that he was born around 1480-81;

He was (and continue to be) a pest *affectionate*

He has a relationship with Bianca;

Marius is very Leonardo-coded for many reasons (age-gap aside, I'm really talking about his personality and attitude);

I don't think I have to comment on the features of Salaì, do I?

In conclusion, I don't think any of it is random. Anne was a fan of Reinassance Italy, I'm pretty sure she did read something about Salai and Leonardo and decided to use it in her books.

Notes

Shortcut for "Sala[d]ino" which means "Saladin" but was used at the time to say "devil" because... well, period typical islamophobia. But you have to admit, the fact that his nickname was Devil, is something.

The Italian Wiki also gives a birth date: 27th December but I don't know the source (however, this is really funny to me because I've always headcanoned Armand as a Capricorn).

There is also this theory according to which he was the model for the Mona Lisa, since, yes, Salaì did actually modelled for paintings of women.

[castelnou]

gioconda nuda (monna vanna)

artwork by salai (gian giacomo caprotti)

[eiledon]

I saw Verrocchio’s statue of David today. Leonardo won’t outright tell me if he was the model for this statue, but I believe he was. He looks so similar to it. If he is the model, he would have been about my age at the time I was sculpted. Before I was even born.

It makes me sad how far apart in years we are. Leonardo will die long before I do... I would give anything to change that, to be able to grow old with him. To know what he was like when he was my age.

I would have liked to meet him back then.

[the-rp-vault]

Salaì, Leonardo (S1, E4)

150x150 pixels gifs. Free to use.

[manynarrators]

This is mostly just a reference for me, but if anyone else wants it you are free to it! Or please, add some more to the list, I would appreciate it!

Renaissance paintings that could, conceptually, be of Amadeo (AKA: from Venice, circa 1515-1550 of a young man with shoulder-ish length hair). Also known as I know nothing about art and thus, where to even start looking properly (I've decided it's museum collections).

Some, like Botticelli's Saint Sebastian while visually perfect, aren't included on this list because it falls too early.

A Concert, c. 1518-1520 by Giovanni Cariani / Virgin and Child with Saints John the Baptist and Joseph, c. 1525 by Vincenzo Catena

The Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian, c. 1518-1560 by Antonio Badile. Portrait d'homme vêtu de noir "Portrait of a man dressed in black", c. 1500-1550 by unknown (has been attributed to Pietro Perugino) / Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian, c. 1525 by Giovanni Antonio Bazzi (Il Sodoma).

Under the cut is any that would work more for a book version.

Saint John the Baptist, c. 1520, by Gian Giacomo Caprotti / Madonna Adoring the Child, c. 1520 by Marco Basaiti / Bacchus, originally Saint John the Baptist, c. 151-1519 by Francesco Melzi.

[rossodimarte]

Leonardo da Vinci, Portrait of Salai, ca. 1495

[yanderepuck]

Salai- Chapter 14

WELCOME TO SALAI'S ROUTE. This is a FAN MADE route of my oc, Salai. This means this route contains my headcanons for the characters and in no way is suppose to represent the canon story. This is just a fun little time because I know many of you enjoy Salai. Feel free to engage, talk theories, send asks (even to @ask-salai ).

DISCLAIMER: His route his not canon to his character. Also, all of his lore in not in the route for simplicity reasons plus please feel free to ask about him.

Banner by @spooscribbles

You blinked at him.  So the rumors about them being in love weren’t rumors at all.  You hold his hand tighter as you feel your heart break.  But he took you on little dates.  Was he never interested in you?  He looks at your hand and then up at your face.

Salai: Mitsuki?  What’s wrong?

You were staring blankly at nothing.  Your heart aches for him, but also because of him.  No. You can’t let him know that.  He just told you so much.  He trusts you.

Mitsuki: You went through all that and you still love him?

Salai: Stupid… I know. I’ve tried to move on.  I wanted to move on, but he has a place in my heart still.

So it is actual love.  Not a friendship kind of love.

Mitsuki: I-I’m sorry

He sinks into the water slightly, wanting to relax.  He wanted to change the topic but he wasn’t sure how.

Mitsuki: Andrea, I should-

Salai: You can call me Salai.

Mitsuki: Are you sure?

You learned that it was a nickname Leonardo gave to him which meant “Little Devil” because of how much trouble he caused.

Salai: Neither of them are my real name, and I prefer Salai.

Mitsuki: What is your name then?

Salai: Gian.  Gian Giacomo Caprotti di Oreno, but Salai is fine.

You nod after hearing his whole name.  What is up with everyone around here having extremely long names?

Mitsuki: Where did you get Andrea from then?

He shrugs.

Salai: It’s how I started signing my paintings. I don’t remember why.

Mitsuki: Okay… Salai

It felt weird to say.  You felt like Andrea fit him better.  You sink into the water again, sitting in awkward silence. So much happened you aren’t sure what to focus on.  You move to the edge of the bath and sit on a ledge that is under the water.

Mitsuki: I’m sorry you had to go through all that.

Salai: It’s okay, it is all my fault anyway

Mitsuki: huh?

He thinks all of that is his fault?

Mitsuki: Salai, come here

He looks at you confused but comes closer.  You wave at him to come closer and closer until he is right next to you

Salai: What is-ow!

He rubs his forehead.  You flicked him dead center of his head.

Salai: What was that for?

He pouts.  You put your hands on his cheeks to make him look at you, ultimately pulling him closer.

Salai: H-hey…!

Mitsuki: It is not your fault

Salai: But I-

Mitsuki: Shush!

You squish his face more.

Mitsuki: Should you have told Leonardo? Yeah, probably.  Did some people get hurt? Not really.  But that is no excuse for what Leonardo did? No.

Salai: umm… Mitsuki…

He tries to pry your hands off of him. But you won’t budge.  Not letting him move.  You failed to notice how close you are.  Your legs are brushing against each other under the water.  The storm in his eyes has yet to clear up.

Mitsuki: Listen to me, okay?  It is not your fault.  I know it will take a while for you to realize that, but believe me, please.

Salai: I hurt people. I lost Maestro’s trust.  I’m sure he regrets ever turning me

You glare at the thought of Leonardo pushing him to the side again.  At first you thought he has only been looking for his maestro for a handful of years but no.  It’s been over a century.  He clearly cares for him and Leonardo barely seems to care.

Mitsuki: I am glad you are here

He seems taken aback by that.

Salai: No no… you shouldn’t be. I shouldn’t be here to begin with.

Mitsuki: But you have had another chance at life.  A longer one.  Shouldn’t you do what you want with it?

Salai: I don’t know what I want

Mitsuki: That’s okay. You don’t need to know right now.

You slowly lower your hands from his face, his hands on top of yours.  You look at each other in silence.  You look at him tenderly while he looks dumbfounded.  Is he surprised that you care?  That you don’t see him as a problem?

Mitsuki: Andrea I-

Salai gets closer to you, putting a hand on your cheek like you did with him and kisses you.  Now you are the dumbfounded one.  Did he just not confess that he liked Leonardo?  His kiss got rough, which got you to kiss him back.  Now having your approval, his hand slides down to your shoulder.  His hand started to go further down but at the last minute went down your arm.  You couldn’t tell if you were disappointed or relieved.  You don’t think you’re ready for that step of intimacy when just a moment ago you thought he wasn’t interested in you… or women!  

His other hand rested on your thigh.  It was then you realized how long you’ve been touching each other.  He tilted his head to the side, deepening the kiss.  Your hands settle on his hips.

You needed air but he wasn’t letting you break the kiss.  Not yet.  It was only when you dug your fingers into his skin that he pulled back.  He was panting just has hard as you.

Mitsuki: I-I thought you said you love Leonardo?

Salai: Didn’t you just say I should do what I want?  I’ve been wanting to do that for a while

Your face gets even redder at that.  Just what is going on in his head?  He seems to have to rip his hands off of you.

Salai: I should go.  I’m sure anyone here wouldn’t be happy to know I was in here with you

He goes to step out of the thermae and you grab his arm.

Mitsuki: Stay here.  Please?

Salai: St. Germaine is letting me stay here. Maestro already helped me move my things.  I’ll see you when you get out.

He smiles, assuring that he won’t be going far.  You nod and let his arm go. As he steps out you almost forget to look away.

~~~

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Ko-Fi

[ask-salai]

Hi hi hi~

Name's Salaì.

What do you mean "that can't be your name"? Of course that's my name! It's becau- ugh fine.

Gian Giacomo Caprotti di Oreno

Happy now? Yeah it's a lot so just call me Salaì ~ Maestro gave me that name after all.

You want to know a bit about me? Well if you ask Maestro he'll just tell you I'm a glutton, a thief and a huge trouble maker. What he forgets to tell you is how cute and irresistible I am~

That's not what you wanted to know? Well how was i supposed to know!

Hmph. There's a little button above that you can hit so that I can answer what you want to know. Anything about me, anything about Maestro, I have gossip on everyone in the mansion~ just name it~

(obvs run by @yanderepuck who else would be running this really.

I'm okay with anything from sfw-nsfw-simple flirting-asking for mansion gossip(headcanons basically)

I saw the Leonardo ask blog say something about how he and Leonardo are just simply maestro-apprentice so I am going to respect that but may occasionally post something on my own about their relationship.

Salaì is a flirt just like Arthur and Charles so please have fun with him. He's a little chaos gremlin who would love to kiss you.

If you want to know about him I do have this post that's mainly a cohesive info dump.

[florriescreamlagoon]

Gian Giacomo Caprotti

[teal-skull]

Sometimes when I'm researching Salai aka Gian Giacomo Caprotti aka Leonardo da Vinci's apprentice I never shut up about, there's one thing that I think of that really pains me.

That's the fact that in all of the sources we have, nothing is directly from Salai himself. We have some tiny accounts about him written by Leonardo, and we have an inventory of his estate which was done after his death, we have a note which states that he has been paid to Salai for paintings he has delivered to the king of France and some letters mentioning Salai offering his artistic services to Issbella d'Este, but never anything writen by Salai himself.

The only things we have by Salai, are couple of paintings, and even then the attribution is only an academic guess. We have only one painting signed by him.

This man lived for 44 years, of which roughly half was spent besides Leonardo, one of the most famous artists in western art history, yet so very little remains of him. He's been death for exactly 500 years now.

You see one thing that I've been taught about source criticism is to consider who's voice comes through the source, and who's voice perhaps is being silenced, or not heard. Due to the sources we have available, we can never hear Salai's voice, except perhaps through his art. But we will never know his perspective. We only have what his master wrote about him when he was ten years old. Our understanding of who Salai was as a person is filtered through Leonardo, and Salai has no way to defend himself, nor express his side of the story.

It fucks me up kinda.